Have Heroes: Quentin Tarantino

Have Heroes:  film director Quentin Tarantino

I admire people who remain tenacious especially by means of unconventiality.

According to Wikipedia, when asked if Tarantino had gone to film school, his response has been, " 'no, I went to films.' "

Tarantino quit school at the age of 15 to attend acting classes. He later worked at a video rental store. It was his experience there where Tarantino observed the movies which garnered the most attention. He has been quoted to attributing the experience as inspirational for his directorial career. {source: Wikipedia}

Tarantino is dyslexic, however, has managed to make a career out of writing script and interpreting his ideas onto film.

He has created movies such as Inglorious Basterds, Death Proof, Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs.

What I admire most about Tarantino is his perseverance despite the adversity of being dyslexic and a high school dropout. Despite society's view on obtaining an education by conventional means people such as Tarantino didn't allow society's expectations to weight him down. He persevered and has gone on to write and direct a multitude of films.

I don't propose to glorify violence. I don't propose one to drop out of their studies. I do propose, however, for one to persevere esp. in the face of adversity. I do propose for someone who finds themselves in a less than ideal situation to persevere and continue forth with their studies in or out of the convential classroom. And I do proclaim that in the name of entertainment, Tarantino is alright with me.

Which films do you admire, better yet, who directed the film? Who wrote it?

Have Heroes: Michelle Adams

Ms. Michelle Adams is one tenacious entity who upon graduation from college was hired by Domino Mag. In 2008, she left the magazine to open up her own sustainable textile company Rubie Green.
Followed by the launch of Lonny Mag in which she serves as editor-in-chief, paving the way for various other online magazines such as Rue, Matchbook and High Gloss.

She began her career as an employee in a pottery shop and was employed through college with Pottery Barn in the design studio. She earned her degree in advertising. When she realized she didn't want to pursue advertising, she continued her studies an additional four years for a major in textile design with a minor in interior design. {source: Daily Imprint}


Back in H.S., I had a deep respect for journalism, journalists and the written word. I kept every publication from my YM magazines to my ever coveted Domino Mags. I absolutely admire the tenacity and dedication of people such as Michelle Adams who pursue their dreams and continue aiming diligently.

In life, we are going to experience setbacks, but rather than give in to the idea of having devoted time and money to a degree she didn't care for, Michelle persevered and invested yet additional time and money to getting educated in her career choice.

Although many of us struggle with simply paying for a semester's worth at a local community college, there are always ways around it. That's the beauty of the arts, there really is no right or wrong way about it. If you love to write, write. If you love to sing, sing. Join your church choir. Many a great star began their journey within the church choir. If you love to dance, dance. J.Lo made a wonderful career out of simply a love for dancing {Remember her as a fly girl on In Living Color?}.

There are several reasons I began this blog. Ever since I was young I always traveled with a book, paper and pencil. I felt naked without them. I truly thought that I desired a career in journalism. After becoming a mother my interests shifted. However, I continued to enjoy the written word for its value in entertainment as well as getting educated. You're reading this now aren't you?

When I overcame my depression in 2007, I had visions of authoring a self-help book.
Since that venture seemed a little far fetched for someone who was "learning to live", the idea of a blog made perfect sense. I quickly realized my love for writing came about not so much as the idea of writing but more
so about the expression of my feelings. Hence, this is where we meet.

What's your dream and what are you doing about reaching out and grasping it?

Quote of the Day...

Sorry I haven't been around these days. I haven't done much to satisfy my design soul, but I've still been feeding my soul in other areas, mainly reading a ton of biographies. This recent one lingered around Michelle Rodriguez. The excerpt was from her blog available here.

Whether you like Michelle Rodriguez or not is not the matter at hand but rather a study of the tenacity and determination which embodies entrepreneurs, actors or whomever is living their dream life, or attempting to attain it.

A study of those living in fear and those fighting against it.

What's SUP? {Fitness}

No, I'm not reverting back to elementary days where I'd  rewind the tape deck to repeat Summer Time by Will Smith over and over again while I doddled in my parents' swimming pool.

But I do share one common good with that teenie tiny version of me from days long ago, a love for water.

And although I no longer post in asymmetrical fashion Teen Beat images of New Kids On the Block on my bedroom walls, I have upgraded to posting images of worthy fit celebs here and in front of my home treadmill for inspiration.

And I continue to possess one trait with that little me, a necessity to make a short story long.

SUP is the acronym for Stand Up Paddle Surfing. Ever since I spotted an image of Aniston some years ago paddling away on the beaches in Mexico, I feel in love with the sport. I'd long forgotten about it until a dark haired dude sporting washboard abs paddled his way out of the lake and into the "beach" I'd  nestled on while my boys rode and kicked their dirtbike sand into locks of my hair.

What's my point, you ask? It's an ideal "sport". I enjoy the outdoors, I enjoy a good tan, and I, like the rest of the world, enjoy an enviable mid-section. Paddle surfing requires a good dose of core and arm and can be enjoyed equally standing up or kneeling. Should you tire out, whip out your fishing rod or just lounge back and enjoy the ambience that is nature.

It can be enjoyed equally in lakes, rivers and beaches. Consult Panga to begin your research.

{Fitness} Sayonara V-Day + Hola Jillian Michaels

The weather is finally starting to warm up again, finally ! It's been crazy cold out here in Texas and though I wouldn't go around labeling myself depressed,  I haven't been feeling quite myself in these weather conditions.

And I, for one, went crazy with the chocolates on v-day sooo, it's time to get motivated to hit the gym again.

I've mentioned the power of Body for Life in a previous post, and for newbies, it's a pretty awesome program, however, if you want to see change far quicker than 12 weeks, Jillian Michaels should be your go-to chic for overall weight loss and toning.

I registered for Jillian's online program when I had my second boy, I shed 5 lbs in two weeks. My husband, a weight-lifter enthusiast (The Schwarzeneggar is his hero) was wheezing through the entire program.

Is it tough? Heck yes...but you'll see results.

She Bangs...

                          
{Photo Credit: iOffer.com}

I was fresh out of H.S. when this issue hit the newsstands and this picture spoke volumes to me on sex appeal.
But what I envied  most were those bangs! The likes of wavy/curly haired girls like myself could only dream...


                                            
{Photo credit: The Huffington Post}

This photo is more up my alley these days. Her active fit lifestyle and physique are something to admire and aspire to.

Have Heroes {New category}

I'm not into celebrities, gossip {Gasp!} and I know that's a turn-off, however, I am into trends, style, personality and biographies.

With that in mind, "Have Heroes"  is my little section dedicated to the people that inspire me in some form or another.